SHAPE 2025 TRAINEE RESEARCH GRANTS
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Description
Sexual dysfunction (SD) impacts approximately one third of women and gender-diverse individuals across all age groups, often resulting in significant distress and diminished quality of life. Genito-pelvic pain (GPP), characterized by pain during vaginal penetration or vulvar contact or sexual activity. These conditions have a profound impact on overall quality of life. Many individuals experiencing SD or GPP encounter significant delays in obtaining accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.
The Sexual Health & Genito-Pelvic Pain Knowledge Empowerment Hub (SHAPE) is a knowledge mobilization Hub funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and is dedicated to addressing these critical gaps in healthcare by promoting culturally sensitive, inclusive, and trauma‐informed practices.
In alignment with this mission, SHAPE is pleased to announce the 2025 Trainee Research Grants, specifically aimed at advancing research on Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD). PSSD is a poorly understood condition characterized by persistent sexual dysfunction following the discontinuation of selective serotonin (or norepinephrine) reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs/SNRIs) use. Due to limited research, evidence-based strategies for assessing and managing PSSD are currently inadequate.
In 2024, SHAPE conducted a survey of Canadian PSSD Society members with lived experience of PSSD aimed at identifying research priorities based on their lived experiences. The full report from this survey is available here: Research Priorities Identified by the Canadian PSSD Society.
In response to the findings of this survey, SHAPE is now launching a grant competition which invites applications from trainees at a Canadian post-secondary institution to undertake projects aligned with these identified research priorities. Three grants, each valued at $10,000 CAD, will be awarded for projects conducted over a 12-month period. Indirects to the institution are not permitted and the full amount must be allocated to the project itself.
Key Competition Dates
Application deadline
June 30, 2025, 11:00 PM PDT
Anticipated notice of decision
August 29, 2025
Anticipated start of funding
September 8, 2025
Eligibility Requirements
At the time of the award start date, the applicants must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, a foreign national (a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada but is legally allowed to study or work in Canada)
- Trainees must be registered students at a Canadian university at the time the funding is awarded.
- Applicants from all disciplines are eligible including but not limited to graduate students (Master’s, PhD), postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows, residents and medical students from all Faculties of Medicine.
- Have an academic supervisor at a Canadian university available to supervise the project
For questions about eligibility, please contact Kaku Lema (kaku.lema@ubc.ca )
Award Categories
Priority Area 1: Treatment and Management Research
Research projects under this priority will investigate the biological mechanisms underlying PSSD and explore medical and non-medical interventions for managing symptoms.
Priority Area 2: PSSD Awareness and Research Funding
Research projects under this priority may focus on raising public, clinical, and policy-level awareness of PSSD emphasizing the urgent need for increased and sustained research funding.
Priority Area 3: Knowledge Translation
Research projects under this priority area will focus on translating research findings into practical, accessible, and impactful knowledge products or tools. Projects should demonstrate meaningful collaboration with patients, healthcare providers and community stakeholders to maximize the relevance, uptake, and effectiveness of these resources.
Priority Area 4: Quality of Life Research
Research projects under this priority may investigate the quality-of-life impacts experienced by individuals living with PSSD.
How to Apply
Please read the grant guidelines carefully before beginning the application. The guidelines can be accessed below (Research Grant Guidelines)
Applicants should also review the PSSD Research Priority Setting Study Report, which can be accessed below (Research Priorities Identified by the Canadian PSSD Society)
To complete your application, visit the SHAPE Hub Application Portal and follow the instructions. Ensure that application is complete and submitted by the application deadline (June 30, 2025, 11pm PT), including attaching the complete application as a single PDF. Incomplete or late applications cannot be considered.
For questions regarding the application and submission process, please email: info@shapehub.ca
Resources
Knowledge Translation Resources
Engaging with People with lived/living experience Partners and Patient Oriented Research
- Understanding the Lived Experiences of People with Sexual Difficulties Resulting from Using and Discontinuing Antidepressants
Workbook to guide the development of a Patient Engagement In Research (PEIR) Plan
Operationalizing a patient engagement plan for health research: sharing a co-designed planning template from a national clinical trial – the article engagement planning tool template and discusses how to engage patients in clinical trials.
